Renew • Colorado's Remodeling Magazine

Some homeowners aren’t just installing compact fluorescent light bulbs and turning down the air conditioning. They are taking energy savings further and transforming their homes to draw no electricity from the power grid.

Moving toward an off-grid home can lead to financial savings and green bragging rights. It can also mean producing power, making the electric meter spin backwards and generating credits from the electric utility.

Here are ten steps toward moving off the electric grid — five energy-saving ideas and five new power sources. Also, look for state and federal tax credits and rebates when taking any of these steps. Several renewable energy upgrades are eligible for federal stimulus money.

Save energy

One – Insulate and seal the house
An energy audit is the best way to determine existing insulation levels and check for gaps that leak air. A qualified auditor will explain how to seal around window frames that could let out more heat than the window panes.

For Colorado, the federal Department of Energy recommends at least R-38 insulation in the attic, the most important area to insulate. The best way to maximize attic insulation is to hire a contractor and blow in insulation, which is typically made of fiber glass or cellulose. Environmentally friendly alternatives include cotton- and hemp-based insulation. Blown-in insulation is cheaper and faster for contractors to install than batting and other insulation types, and it can fill small and hard-to-reach gaps.

Two – Increase natural light
Solar skylights cut artificial light needs by trapping sunlight in a dome-shaped collector on a south-facing roof and channeling it through reflective tubes and diffusing it into room. Other models move the light through fiber-optic tubes to a room on a lower level or in the north end of the home. Compared with a traditional skylight, the new technology is less likely to leak, more energy efficient and offers more consistent lighting throughout the day. The recessed fixtures can also be combined with compact fluorescent bulbs for nighttime lighting.

South-facing windows also provide natural light and winter heat. The most efficient windows have at least two panes and are coated to reduce heat loss. However, Nancy Kellogg of Treading Lightly Energy and Design said homeowners should avoid windows that are too shaded or too efficient because they reduce the impact of passive solar heat. Insulating shades and curtains are better for reducing heat loss at night and excessive heat gain in the summer.

Three – Use energy-efficient appliances
Look for the EnergyStar label, which indicates 10 to 50 percent less energy usage than a standard appliance or electronic device. Another feature to consider is a delay timer, which allows dishwashers and other appliance to run during off-peak hours when electric demand is lower. With solar electric panels, consider running the appliances during the day when the house is generating power but nobody is home.

Some energy-efficient appliances also have other advantages. For example, a front-loading washer uses less water, reduces wear on clothing and can typically be stacked with a dryer to save space.

Finally, to switch off the grid and generate all your own power, gas stoves and furnaces will need to be replaced with electric models.

Four – Get smart with power strips
Computers, DVD players and other electronics draw power even when they are switched off or in standby mode. New power strips can gauge when such items are idle or on standby and switch off the outlet. Other strips have “smart” plugs alongside conventional plugs, allowing homeowners to ensure consistent electricity to DVRs or other devices that are always on.

Five – Automate the home
To further cut active and idle energy consumption, consider a lighting management system or full home automation system. Lighting management systems use sensors to switch off lights in unoccupied rooms, adjust lighting levels according to ambient light conditions and set lights to timers.

Home automation systems allow homeowners to control various items in the home by remote control, or from the Internet or a PDA. For example, a homeowner can turn off all the lights with the press of a button, even after forgetting to do so before leaving the house. The system can also control temperature more tightly than a basic programmable thermostat. The system can even lower automatically lower shades at sundown to reduce heat loss.

Generating electricity

Six – Go solar
Solar power is popular and constantly in the news, particularly in sunny Colorado. Enough photovoltaic solar panels can power a home of any size for many years with minimal maintenance.

There are also other ways to harness the power of the sun. Solar thermal technology is simple, inexpensive and time-tested. Dark solar panels heat water and transfer it into storage tanks for use in bathrooms and kitchens, radiant floor heating or radiators.

Another simple way to use the sun’s heat is with a small solar thermal panel that works as a space heater. The panel is mounted on the roof or wall, where a vent draws cold air out of the room. The air is heated while circulating through tubes. A fan then blows warm air back into the room.

SolarGreen in Englewood sells all three types of solar panels.

Seven – Plant wind power
Buying offsets from Xcel and other electric utilities is not the only way to use wind power. Wind turbines are now spinning in back yards and on rooftops. They generate electricity any time the wind is blowing, day or night.

The turbines are simple to install and operate with minimal moving parts and little required maintenance. New models are rated to last 30 years, according to Standard Renewable Energy, a Denver company that sells Skystream wind turbines.

This year, Ace Hardware will begin selling a rooftop wind turbine that generates power starting at wind speeds of two miles per hour.

Eight – Go underground
In addition to turbines high above the ground, energy can be tapped from below the surface. Geothermal or geo-exchange heat pumps run a long loop of water pipes underground, where the temperature is higher. The water returns to the home far hotter and can be used to heat the home or fill hot-water tanks. Radiance Corporation in Nederland installs geothermal heat pumps. The firm estimates the pump uses only 25 to 50 percent of the electricity used in a standard heating and cooling system.

Nine – Pellet power
Wood stoves may not be a cutting-edge technology or even a renewable home-based heating source. However, pellet stoves are updating an old standby. The new stoves are highly efficient and clean-burning and they also use inexpensive, locally generated fuel. In Colorado, Confluence Energy is using swaths of beetle-killed trees to create pellets for the stoves. Other companies mix in waste products such as olive pits and walnut shells.

Some pellet stoves are not approved for use on red advisory days, so be sure to check with suppliers or contact the state health department for the approved list. Also look for low-emission stoves that are compliant with EPA Phase II requirements.

A pellet stove can reduce natural-gas heating bills by 30 percent even without other efficiency improvements, according to Staci Griffin of Boulder Stove and Flooring.

Ten – Go Micro-hydro (if you can)
Micro-hydro electricity generators are the least publicized and most selective home power systems. They only work for homes with water flowing through the property. For those rare homeowners, the idea is basically a tiny hydro-electric dam. The water spins a turbine that converts the motion into electricity.

An Energy Alternatives study found a micro-hydro system produces as least 10 times more power than PV solar or wind turbines for the same initial investment.

Photo credits to place with correct photos:

Photo Courtesy of Southwest Windpower

Photo provided by Whirlpool

Photo provided by Lennox Hearth

Posted on 03 September 2009

Remodeling an entire home may seem ambitious and expensive in the current real estate market. With mortgage rates still hovering near record lows and a tax credit of up to $8,000 available to first-time homebuyers, it might seem like the right time to walk away from the fixer-upper and buy something new. But before getting swept up in the buy-now bustle, consider a few of the reasons why the older home might hold rewarding potential.

For Rex Heibi, those reasons were obvious. His fishing cabin west of Lyons rested along side the St. Vrain River in a beautiful canyon setting full of pines and potential. He envisioned the property as the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors, entertain friends and raise a family in the ambient bliss of nature. The cabin was built in 1987 and was only 1,120 square feet. In 2006 Heibi launched remodeling and expansion plans. During the renovation Rex married his girlfriend, Heather, who shared his vision and also worked diligently on what would be their new home of more than 3,300 square feet.

Terra Verde Architects of Boulder was selected to oversee the design and construction, which would later draw accolades from the remodeling industry. The project was honored in the Colorado Awards for Remodeling Excellence in the Whole House category.

Charlotte Grojean, who was one of the three principal architects at Terra Verde, worked on the project. Grojean, who has since launched her own firm, Wildgrass Architecture in Boulder, said the project posed some specific challenges. “This site was particularly difficult due to many physical restraints,” she explains. “But Rex and Heather were exceptional clients for this project. Their steadfast commitment and willingness to consider alternative options as obstacles arose was met with genuine enthusiasm.”

Several obstacles did arise. The property was divided by the river and the cabin was near the flood zone. The bridge over the river needed to be rebuilt to mitigate for flooding, the septic field had to be on the same narrow piece of land as the house and there was a steep rocky cliff next to the cabin.

Boulder County also has stringent planning requirements to protect wildlife and water quality in sensitive ecological areas. “There were 13 major objections and many minor roadblocks to be navigated,” says Mark Queripel, founder and principal of Terra Verde Architects. “But over time and with a little creativity, we were able to overcome all the county’s concerns and still achieve the owners’ desires.”

At the initial meetings with the Heibi’s, the architects asked questions to help focus their planning. Like most projects, Queripel says they asked about architectural design preferences, the homeowners’ lifestyle and goals, budget parameters, the function of each space and if the possibility existed that rooms might be changed in the future to serve a different need?

With some direction, plans were drawn up and the real work began. At Terra Verde, one of the principals oversees the project from start to finish, but all principals provide input on major issues.

“Usually we try to come up with a minimum of two to three concepts,” says Queripel. “We show them to the clients and based on their feedback we may combine some aspects of the plans or completely redo the drawings if the first ones don’t work.”

For the Heibi’s and most other clients who want to tackle an entire house remodel, Terra Verde believes it is important to start with the kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of the house. For the Heibi’s they wanted their living space to be an engaging atmosphere where they could entertain guests and raise a family.

To accommodate this lifestyle, Terra Verde wanted the kitchen to open up into the great room. They decided to add on a second story to the cabin and build the great room into the granite cliff to avoid the flood zone.

Although the original fishing cabin was, as Grojean describes it – small, dark and uninspiring, there was still a desire for the newly renovated home to maintain some of the same rustic qualities. The finished product was more than an award-winning project – it was a family-friendly home built to meet the needs of people who appreciate nature.

Posted on 03 September 2009

Increasing rebates and tax credits plus lower prices may equal a good opportunity for solar panels on Colorado homes. Mark Simmons reports 2009 is the ideal time to cut energy bills, shrink carbon footprints and increase home values by installing solar electric or hot water systems.

“I don’t think there’s going to be a better time,” he said. “This is going to be a great year in terms of prices.”

As production catches up with demand, prices for photovoltaic solar electric panels and other components keep dropping. Solar thermal panels for hot water were already relatively inexpensive. Simmons, sales and marketing director for Vibrant Solar in Louisville, expects PV prices to decline gradually throughout the year. However, he doesn’t foresee a sudden drop in price that could offset the immediate energy savings.

“It’s really doubtful that in the next three to five years that the new technology will come out and be affordable,” Simmons said. In the meantime, homeowners can save on electric bills while reducing the carbon emissions connected with the state’s largely coal-powered electric grid.

Lori Kreutzman said she believes prices for photovoltaic solar electric panels have leveled off at a low point. She is the chief operations officer for Next Generation Energy, a Lafayette company that makes and installs both PV and thermal solar products.

Vibrant Solar provided the photo of the Greenwood Village home on this page.

To be sure, other industry experts predict the PV price decline will continue. A shortage in silicon caused recent spikes in PV prices, but analyst Travis Bradford of the Prometheus Institute for Sustainable Development expects a production boom to continue the steady reduction of the price of PV panels through at least 2012.

Still, demand dropped with the global recession, so homeowners can find attractive deals this year. State and federal budget woes also could decrease the current rebates.

Xcel and Black Hills Energy give renewable energy credits, and Xcel has additional rebates. Boulder and Colorado Springs have city-specific credits, and the Governor’s Energy Office launched a new residential solar rebate program this year, specifically for areas not served by Xcel or Black Hills.

Uncle Sam also offers a tax credit for 30 percent of the final cost, with the $2,000 cap on solar hot water lifted in the stimulus bill President Barack Obama signed in Denver. Congress lifted the solar electric cap in 2008. For more information on rebates, visit www.coseia.org.

Simmons suggests optimizing available rebates and tax credits to help cover the largest possible percentage of solar panel costs. This could mean installing fewer panels and not immediately offsetting 100 percent of energy usage. Nonetheless, homeowners can drastically reduce power bills while also minimizing the cost of a solar array.

Solar hot water systems have fewer rebates but they are also cheaper and more flexible to install. Installers can put panels on east- and west-facing roof exposures, as opposed to the south-facing roof typically needed for electric PV panels. However, solar thermal panels require more complex installation, so Kreutzman recommends extra caution in finding a skilled installer.

Even a small solar array — either thermal or electric — can increase real estate values. A 1998 study by the Appraisal Institute found a $10 to $25 increase in resale price for every dollar saved on annual utility bills. In 2008, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy estimates homes with solar PV sell up to twice as quickly as similar homes with conventional systems. Homeowners must wait five years to sell the house after installing solar panels or they must pay back a percentage of the tax credit.

Sellers are also increasingly likely to compete with new homes either pre-wired for solar panels or powered by solar. Gov. Bill Ritter called for such a requirement for any new development.

“Every new builder has to go for zero carbon if they can,” Simmons said. “It would be irresponsible to build a home today without solar.”

Finally, Simmons offers an environmental argument for installing solar sooner rather than later. “The planet can’t afford us waiting,” he said.

Steve Graham is a Fort Collins – based freelance writer.

Posted on 04 June 2009

Sustainable interior design isn’t just biodegradable couches and compact fluorescent light bulbs. The budding green design movement also includes antiques and century-old hardwood flooring.

Brian Dunbar, a green building guru at Colorado State University, defines sustainable design as any project “with a concentration on minimizing the consumption of raw materials and a focus on the reuse of existing materials.” The resulting look can be anywhere from classic to ultra-modern, as long as reuse and recycling is the foremost concern.

Homeowners and professionals can get sustainable design ideas from the American Society of Interior Designers’ green residential remodeling guidelines or the U.S. Green Building Council’s project profiles. However, much of the industry is behind the green curve.

Stephen Kohlbeck runs Tilde Design Studio in Denver and is a member of the USGBC. He said sustainability is not yet a focus for the industry or clients, but he nudges clients toward greener ideas.

“Nobody yet has even asked for it,” he said. “They’re not even really aware that they should be conscious about it. … We’re five years out from having it be the norm.”
Bink Owsley, a designer at Craftsmen Builders in Fort Collins, had the opposite experience.

“I was fortunate to work with some clients that considered environmentally sensitive design a driving force in their projects,” Owsley said. “This spurred me to continue to educate myself on ways of lessening the impact of projects.”

Photo provided by Tilde Design Studio

Kohlbeck recently helped remodel a home with two kinds of recycled components. He found a headboard and other furniture at La Puerta, a New Mexico company that reuses antique wood that might otherwise be trashed or burned. The salvaged scraps form rustic cabinets, doors, railings, bed frames and more.

The laundry room countertops were also recycled, but look new. They are made from paperstone, a strong, durable surface made of recycled paper or cardboard. Kohlbeck also will incorporate paperstone in a new line of furniture he will debut this year.

He is designing a paperstone tabletop on bronze legs made from 90 percent recycled copper. A line of cabinets will use local, sustainably forested wood. For other pieces in his line, he focused on natural fibers, including cotton, flax, linen and silk.

Likewise, Owsley suggests refinishing or reupholstering furniture, instead of replacing with new items. To take sustainability one step further, she recommends organic fibers, local upholsterers and infinitely recyclable aluminum for handles and knobs.

Similarly, older wood floors can be refinished for a beautiful surface that is even more sustainable than popular new flooring made from sturdy, fast-growing bamboo.

“I cringe when I hear about someone ripping out their shiny golden oak floors … and replacing them with bamboo to make their home more ‘green,’” Owsley said. “I’d recommend refinishing the oak, stain it dark or pickle it or even paint it.”

Lighting is another prime consideration in remodeling. Compact fluorescent light bulbs last longer and use less energy than incandescent bulbs. However, Kohlbeck sees them as a stepping stone to the next green lighting trend.

“LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are about to become a huge light source in buildings,” he said. “To me, they are the best type of showcase and art lighting.”

The bright low-power lights are widely used for traffic lights and other industrial applications, and are popular in under-cabinet accent lighting. Within five years, Kohlberg expects them to expand to the rest of the home as the lighting industry perfects the color and brightness.

Natural lighting is an important component of green design as well. Green building design standards focus on getting daylight into the core of a building, reducing the need for electric lighting while the sun is shining.

Owsley also suggests using sensors for bathroom fans and storage room lighting, eliminating worries about turning off the switch.

Finally, most building materials can be salvaged or recycled. Homeowners should insist on recycling the used furniture, flooring and other components being replaced in a redesign project. Even wall studs can be recut and used for trim or accents. In these small ways, homeowners can help make sustainability the norm in interior design.

“It’s trendy to talk about green design but critical to shift our thinking.” Owsley said. “Green design shouldn’t be a separate category, it should be a cornerstone of all design and building.”

Steve Graham is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins.

Posted on 04 June 2009

Early explorers once described Colorado as the high desert because of the dry air and low amounts of precipitation. Today, most people would probably say that this is an oblique over-generalization of the climate and topography. People move to the doorstep of the Rocky Mountains from all over the world to experience the immense landscapes and diverse plant and animal communities. And because the appeal is so great, it becomes easy to overlook the fact that much of Colorado is considered the high desert.

Because water is a limiting factor in Colorado, the native plants and animals have had to evolve in order to survive on very little precipitation. Luckily, the landscape design industry has also adapted to the low water climate of the Front Range and offers various alternatives that can be even more aesthetically pleasing than the traditional lawn.

“I don’t ever want people to think that by conserving water on their landscapes that they are only limited to a few Yuccas and rock beds,” explains Amy Bales the owner of Bales Custom Gardening Services in Denver. Bales recognizes the negative connotations that may arise when people begin discussing landscaping alternatives such as Xeriscape or the use of grey water.

Bales Custom Gardening Services provided the photos in this feature. The Denver project won an Award of Excellence from the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado.

Landscapers and government agencies share a common goal of educating the public about Xeriscape and water-conscious gardening. Some municipalities try by appealing to pocketbooks and billfolds. Some homeowners who install timers and water regulators in their irrigation systems can receive rebates. The city of Denver has a list of appliances that are eligible for the rebates at www.denverwater.org.

“The Colorado State Extension service is also a great resource for information on choosing the right plants for our climate and ways to minimize water use,” says Bales. To further her own education, Bales took advantage of the Colorado State University master gardener program to hone her skills in landscape planning and native plant knowledge.
Rather than planting exotic plants that require additional resources to cultivate, the Colorado State Extension office teaches that natives — plants that are fully adapted to the arid climate — can be used to fit into almost any design niche. Buffalo grass is a native sod that, because of its natural resistance to drought conditions and visual appeal, has begun to replace traditional types of yard sod such as Kentucky Bluegrass. Buffalo grass is also a popular choice because it does not require mowing. If a groomed look is desired, Buffalo grass can be mowed, but it won’t have to be done often.
“When designing a standard landscape, I try to use ten percent grass to keep the yard from looking sparse,” says Bale. Then the other 90 percent is plant beds, shrubs, perennial flowering plants, wood chips, rock mulch or other materials.”

Bales prefers to plant as many perennials as possible. She suggests that all perennials, ornamental grasses and trees be planted in the spring by mid-April. Annual plants should be put in the ground around Mother’s Day.

Colorado plays host to such a wide array of native flora that knowledge and experience with these plants is paramount for building a colorful, fulfilling, and conscientious outdoor living space. Depending on the scope of the project, a landscape designer might need to be consulted. When working with professional agencies it’s important to take enough time to create a list of goals and special considerations.

“One question I always ask a client is what colors do they not want to see in their yards,” says Bales. “Sometimes without thinking people will say they like all colors, and maybe forget that they hate yellow until a yellow flower begins to bloom in one of their flower beds.”

During her years in landscape design, Bales has worked with many clients, and every one had a different vision. She has witnessed the paradigm shift toward responsible water values. Bales said the industry will continue to move in that direction. Sure, environmentalists are a big part of the reason for the shift, but Bales knows that there is more to it.

“People move to Colorado because they enjoy the beauty of the outdoors here,” says Bales. “So why not have the same outdoor qualities that attracted them here in the first place in their own backyard?”

Casey Cisneros is a Lyons-based freelance writer.

Posted on 04 June 2009

The state’s most remarkable remodeling projects are featured each year during the Colorado Awards for Remodeling Excellence gathering.

The Remodelors Council of Metro Denver throws a party each year to give the area’s top remodelers a chance to get together, share stories and check out what the competition is up to. The Remodelors Council operates under the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver, a trade group that works on behalf of the industry.

From small bathroom renovations to the renewal of the entire house, the awards allow home improvement experts to outline the challenges faced and what was done to overcome them.

Winning projects follow by category.

Whole House
• Nest Architecture; co-entrant, Boa Construction, 1st place, luxury
• Olson Architecture, 2nd place, luxury
• Terra Verde Architects, 1st place, standard
• Cambridge Construction; co-entrant, Enger Architects, 2nd place, standard

Kitchens
• Kitchen Distributors, 1st place, luxury
• CS Design; co-entrant, ReSpace, 2nd place, luxury
• Nest Architectural Design; co-entrants, Company kd and Canady Construction, honorable mention, luxury
• a la carte Design, 1st place, basic
• Company kd; co-entrant, Canady Construction, 2nd place, basic
• Classic House & Garden, honorable mention, basic
• Kitchen Distributors, 1st place tie, standard
• Blue Stone Woodworks, 1st place tie, standard
• Cambridge Construction, 2nd place, standard
• Terra Verde Architects; co-entrant, Bruce Leahy & Associates, honorable mention, standard

Basements
• Finished Basement Co., 1st place, 2nd place, honorable mention, luxury
• Roger S. Simmermon & Co., 1st place, basic
• Finished Basement Co., 2nd place, basic
• Finished Basement Co., 1st place, 2nd place, standard
• Cambridge Construction, honorable mention, standard

Bathrooms
• Harrison Browne Interiors, honorable mention, luxury
• Maureen McGuire, Timberline Kitchen & Bath, 1st place, basic
• Roger S. Simmermon & Co., 1st place, standard
• Wyatt Breum Artisan Interiors & Remodeling, 2nd place, standard
• Classic House & Garden, honorable mention, standard

Interiors
• The Architecture Studio; Lynn Shannon Interior Design; Reed Stair & Handrails; Denver Glass Interiors, 1st place, remodel
• TKP Architects, 2nd place, remodel

Exteriors
• Superior Products, 1st place
• True North Builders, 2nd place

Landscapes
• Environmental Designs, 1st place
• True North Builders, honorable mention

Siding
• Superior Products, 1st place, honorable mention

Details
• Blue Stone Woodworks, 1st place
• Lin Lee & Associates, 2nd place
• Liquid Metal Coatings, honorable mention

Specialty
• Rolling Ridge Deck Co., 1st place
• True North Builders, honorable mention

Historic Remodel
• Roger S. Simmermon & Co; co-entrant, Thomas Carr, Architect, 1st place
• Associates in Building & Design, 2nd place
• TKP Architects, honorable mention

Additions
• Roger S. Simmermon & Co.; co-entrant, Michael Koch Architects, 1st place
• Cambridge Construction, 2nd place

Architectural Design
• Nest Architecture; co-entrants, Company KD and Canady Construction, 1st place

Commercial Remodel
• Olson Architecture, 1st place

Pro Bono
• a la carte Design, 1st place

Theme Remodel
• Finished Basement Co., 1st place

Photo provided by Environmental Designs

Posted on 07 March 2009

It is a standard design element to bring the outdoors in, but what about bringing the indoors out? In a state with plentiful sunshine and purple mountain majesties, an outdoor living space has become must-have in Colorado living. From full kitchens and weatherproof furniture to pergolas and fire pits, the options are endless when creating an outdoor space.

A key aspect of any outdoor living area is usability, and most homeowners investing in this type of space want to use it as many months out of the year as possible.
Scott Hamling, a real estate appraiser and Denver-area native, began his outdoor project last year and says it has been worth every hour of work and every penny spent. “This space is an extension of our home,” Hamling says. “We use it every day of the year. Just because it’s snowing outside doesn’t mean you have to stay inside.”

The ideas for the outdoor living area began when the Hamlings bought their 1902 farmhouse in the neighborhood Scott grew up. Sitting on a 17,000-square-foot lot, the house had an abundance of potential with lots of room to be creative.

“The house was previously owned by friends of my family and we jumped at the chance to buy in this neighborhood,” Hamling says. “And since we entertain quite a bit, the lot was the perfect size to fit our needs.”

The space was designed with three areas in mind – the living area, the dining area and the garden. The living and dining “rooms” are situated on each side of a two-sided fireplace, creating the perfect ambience for a sophisticated dinner party or an evening at home with the kids.

For entertaining friends and family, Scott and his wife, Kirsten, designed an in-place, concrete table that seats up to 12 guests and has a stainless steel trough down the center for candles, ice or drinks.

But this dining area is not just for summer barbeques. In the winter, the Hamlings put up a tent that surrounds the room and encloses the fireplace for festive gatherings during the holidays.

“The idea of using a tent came to us when we were planning a large Christmas party,” Hamling explains. “When we entertain, we like to make our guests feel special and incredibly welcomed. I think we accomplished that with the tent because everyone was so surprised when we went outside to our own little venue.”

The outdoor living space wouldn’t be complete for the Hamlings without a beautiful garden to enjoy throughout the year, and for a project of this magnitude, they knew they needed to call in a professional. With the help of landscape architect Wendy Booth, of the Ivy Street Design Group in Denver, the garden became one of the most important elements of the overall design.

“With this project, we wanted to create interest throughout the seasons,” Booth says. “And with Scott and Kirsten’s love of entertaining, it was important to plan a garden that would be beautiful and visually pleasing all year.”

The garden is an element of the design that not only provides beauty every day of the year, but also provides privacy for the Hamlings. Lined with trees on two sides, the garden includes a fish pond and water feature, as well as a nearby seating area.

Booth, who won an Award of Excellence from the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC) for this design, was recommended to the Hamlings through family friend and landscape contractor Paul Tighe. Through Booth’s design, Tighe built a spectacular fireplace, brick patio and concrete table.

Hamling says that when working with any professional, it is important to communicate throughout the entire process. “Paul, Wendy and I worked very closely together on this project,” Hamling says. “We listened to each other, tossed around ideas and were able to easily adapt to any obstacles thrown in our path.”

As with any major home improvement, consideration must be given to the primary reasons for remodeling the space. For many, the improvement provides a place to spend more time with family or to entertain guests. For others, it is a place to unwind in the peace and tranquility of Colorado’s fresh air after a long day. For the Hamlings, it is an extension of their home.

“This is our last home, the place we want to be for the next 30 to 40 years,” Hamling says. “This project made our house a perfect home.”

Emily Jack is a Longmont-based freelance writer.

Photos provided by Ivy Street Design Group in Denver.

Posted on 07 March 2009

Look at home renovation as an equation. Not a simple geometric equation or addition equation, but something more akin to what you might find on a college algebra final exam.

Many variables need to be considered when remodeling: the budget, contractors, existing space, timeline, city inspectors, appliances, interior designers, homeowners associations, local ordinances and pre-existing structural integrity to name a few. These variables then need to equal a final product that closely resembles what the residents originally envisioned.

This clichéd metaphor is not meant to detour those who fumble around with math from improving their home, but rather to encourage those who want to improve their home to speak with an architect before beginning a new project.

“The architect pulls together all of the needs and desires of the homeowner to create the home that works for them,” explains Anne Olson, A.I.A., president of Olson Architecture Inc.

In 2006 Anne began working with the Edwards family of Boulder to recreate the home that would work for them. The project would eventually win an award for the “whole house-luxury remodel” category in the 2008 Colorado Awards for Remodeling Excellence, sponsored by the Remodelors Council of Metro Denver. The Edwards’ home presented similar challenges that many other homeowners may have to face one day.

“The Edwards are a baby boomer couple, with a college age son and a mother who might need a place to live,” Olson points out. “The home was designed for this stage of their life.”

First and foremost, the family needed more space in their 824-square-foot historic bungalow to make cohabitation more manageable. Olson began drawing up plans to add onto the existing structure.

“You have to see the house and listen to the clients,” Olson says. “Figure out what their situation is and what they want with the house.”

The Edwards’ dream renovation included a second floor master suite with a scenic overview of Mount Salinas, a home office, an improved living room situation that would be more suitable for entertaining, a main level suite for their mother, and a bottom level apartment for their son. But in order to get the addition approved by the city landmark board, some concessions had to be made by Olson and her firm.

“We had to completely change our original concept to conform with the request of the landmarks board,” said Olson. “Our original desire was to maintain all of the exterior stone walls and add a second floor.”

The city landmark board requested that the historical integrity be preserved. The Edwards wanted to respect the board’s wishes and asked the architecture firm to go back to the original drawings and modify them accordingly.

Now more than ever, municipalities, neighbors and homeowners associations are playing a bigger role in the decision as to what kind of a renovation will be built. With so much power over the renovation outside of the homeowner’s grasp, the architect has to compensate by knowing all of the rules and building codes to find a plan that will work for everyone.

With considerable neighborhood acclaim, Olson’s revision was a success. The addition was built on the lot behind the family’s bungalow. Exterior materials, which matched the existing home, were added to the new section to secure a cohesive appearance between old and new. Most of the original roof, back wall and entrance remained untouched.

The bungalow that was once 824 square feet is now 3,455 square feet; perfect to accommodate the entire family.

“The new floor plan perfectly meshed with the lifestyle needs of a boomer family in 2008,” Olson explains.

The Newlands Neighborhood in Boulder, where the project was completed, is an area that often faces resistance to remodeling because the residents like to keep the historical motif intact. Olson and her team were able to recognize this. By keeping an eye on the big picture and working closely with their clients, they were able to find a solution that suited everyone.

Casey Cisneros is a Loveland-based freelance writer.

Posted on 07 March 2009

As more people make the decision to stay in their homes rather than trying to jump into the ailing new housing market, exterior improvements are rising to the top for consideration. And if the decision is made to stay in one’s home for more than five years, the siding should be updated, and insulation should be added.

Such was the case of the home near Franktown shown in this Before and After feature.

The old pine siding on the home had been weather damaged and pocked by woodpeckers, making the home look dated, said Tom Higgins of Superior Products. In addition, the decking and rail system was in bad shape, creating safety concerns for the homeowners.

Superior Products replaced the siding with textured fiber cement over insulation, Higgins said. The company also custom matched paint to the roof, stone work and landscape. The decking was repaired in order to meet local codes and it was improved with composite decking materials.

The siding project not only brings more curb appeal to the property, but it also helps seal the house against the winter winds and low temperatures that will soon visit the Front Range. “This is the time to add insulation,” Higgins points out, adding that 90 percent of his customers add insulation when they upgrade to fiber cement siding. With heating bills reaching all-time highs, insulation is a must for every home.

Higgins said that Remodeling Magazine listed new siding as the number one return on investment when remodeling a home. “It’s tied to property valuation,” he said. Many homebuyers also list the siding or exterior walls as one of the most important items when they are shopping because it helps create curb appeal. Whether we like it or not, it’s human nature to judge a book by its cover.

Every exterior project has a few dos and don’ts, Higgins said. For example, he suggests never skimping when it comes to paint and caulking. Like caulking, quality paint (he uses Sherwin-Williams) will be pliable. Because all Colorado residences experience freeze/thaw, extreme temperature fluctuations and intense ultraviolet rays, flexibility is important. “If you have good paint and bad caulk, one will move and the other won’t,” Higgins said.

Another suggestion is to choose the appropriate siding for your home and neighborhood. As a rough barometer, Higgins said homes at a lower price point often look fine with vinyl siding, whereas pricier homes look better with cement fiber.

Finally, make sure to hire a contractor who is sensitive to the needs of the family and pets during a project, as well as the property, which should be kept orderly throughout construction. Also, make certain the contractor understands how important it is that homeowners have choices when it comes to exterior repairs. From soffets and paints to the insulation and decorative final touches, everyone needs choices.

Posted on 11 November 2008

Congress has discussed banning incandescent light bulbs by 2014. While the discussion is focused on incandescent reflector lamps, it is still spurring many manufacturers and customers to switch to the newest and most energy-efficient lighting technologies. From LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, to the newest in lighting controls, options abound for a homeowner’s indoor and outdoor lighting needs.

Dan McCord of Colorado Concept Lighting knows that affordability is a customer’s biggest concern when switching to new technology.

“Technology is changing so quickly that it is difficult to budget for the newest in green products,” said McCord. “The newest technology, such as LED, is by far the most sought after, but it is usually the first to be crossed off the wish list.”

McCord added that while some eco-conscious products may be pricey, the product’s life span is far longer than the traditional incandescent bulb. Jeff Leese of Foothills Lighting & Supply agrees.

“LED is really expensive right now, but as with all things, the price will come down eventually,” Leese said. “For the time being, compact fluorescent (CFL) is a good way to go. It is a stop-over on the way to LED.”

Most homeowners are still drawn to incandescent lighting, some because it is aesthetically pleasing and others because of the warmth it creates. Leese tries to show his customers alternatives to incandescent lighting and the benefits these options can bring to a home.

“My recommendation for new lighting projects at this point would be Xenon,” Leese said. “This option is the closest in color and warmth to that of regular incandescent lighting, a personal favorite of homeowners. It is also less expensive than LED.”

Leese believes that LED lighting is good for commercial properties, but it has yet to become commonplace in homes. “LED is great for retail stores. Engineers have created strips of LED lights for underneath cabinets and shelves that are about an eighth of an inch thick,” Leese said. “This makes them virtually invisible. The only problem for using this option in a home is that the light is still not as warm as incandescent lighting.”

McCord recommends using LED for landscape lighting around the home. “To replicate the light of the moon, you don’t need much,” McCord said. “LED is a good quality lighting solution for a good value.”

While LED technology is expensive, McCord argues that it is worth the money. LED lighting has up to 50,000 hours of life and produces more light per watt than incandescent bulbs. LED is also a good choice for frequent on-off cycles, such as outdoor timed lighting.

Leese has a different suggestion for those homeowners looking for a cheaper outdoor alternative – compact fluorescent. One downside to CFLs is that without proper installation the bulbs may not light in cold weather.

“With this type of bulb, it is best to create a microenvironment by using a translucent lighting fixture,” Leese explains. “This will allow heat from the bulb to circulate within the fixture, making it easier for the bulb to light in very cold weather.”

In addition to being energy efficient, the CFLs can also be used in many styles of fixtures. Fluorescent lighting doesn’t have to look fluorescent if it’s enclosed in an amber-colored glass fixture.

However, using CFLs for indoor lighting is not always the best choice, McCord points out.

“People don’t realize that fluorescent lights emit UV rays,” McCord said. “They put fluorescent lighting in their closets and wonder why their clothes have faded. This is a case where incandescent, Xenon or LED lighting would be a better choice.”

Manufacturers are picking up on the “green” trend, pouring money into research and development to find solutions that are energy efficient and still eye-catching. Another energy-efficient route to consider is lighting controls, such as dimmers and light outputs.

“Homeowners want to be green and they want to save on their energy bills,” McCord said. “With lighting controls, homeowners can regulate the output of light so slightly that the naked eye can’t even tell the difference. The only difference they’ll see is a drop in their energy bill.”

Numerous options should be considered when beginning a lighting project, but the most important aspect is to choose an option that fits your needs and lifestyle. “Lighting should always accommodate you – not the other way around. It should show off your home,” Leese explains.

Emily Jack is a Longmont-based freelance writer.

Photo by Ron Ruscio for Colorado Concept Lighting

Posted on 11 November 2008